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Brewers' worthy candidates need All-Star support

Brewers' worthy candidates need All-Star support

6/21/13: Jean Segura hits a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth and robs Andrelton Simmons of a base hit in the Brewers' 2-0 win

By Kevin Massoth
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MLB.com |

MILWAUKEE -- Despite a disappointing start to the Brewers' season, it is not hard to find a silver lining.

That's because they have two, standing at shortstop and in center field.

The year has been a coming out party for Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez, and with the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York just around the corner, both try to make the roster for the first time.

When the latest round of the balloting results were announced Sunday, their names stood exactly where they did a week ago -- Segura's third among National League shortstops and Gomez's 11th among outfielders.

Ryan Braun dropped a spot to fifth in the outfield race after missing time on the disabled list with a right hand injury. Jonathan Lucroy remained fourth among catchers, and Aramis Ramirez is fifth among third basemen.

Segura, who is the only player in Major League Baseball with at least 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases, probably has the best chance to start, due to Troy Tulowitzki's rib injury.

Tulowitzki has 3,104,285 votes, nearly 1.5 million more than Brandon Crawford (1,757,255) and Segura (1,625,753). But the Rockies' shortstop sustained a broken right rib diving for a grounder on June 13 and is out another three to five weeks, leaving his status unlikely for the All-Star Game.

If Tulowitzki is voted to start but is unable to play, the nod would go to the top vote-getter on the players' ballot. In the same scenario last year, Braun cracked the NL's starting lineup after an injury to Dodgers star Matt Kemp.

If it were up to Lucroy, Segura and Gomez would each be in the Midsummer Classic.

"They both have a lot of tools and they both have really put it together," Lucroy said. "I think they both deserve to be in the All-Star game.

"Hopefully they make it. And if they continue to play like this, it'll give us more chances to win down the road."

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke agreed with Lucroy's sentiment but has a split decision on how each All-Star Game roster is decided.

"I like that the fans are involved in the voting, but I also don't like it because it's not fair," Roenicke said. "They vote for favorites, which is great, and you want to see your Derek Jeters in the All-Star Game, and guys like that. I understand that. But sometimes there are guys in that shouldn't be in it.

"If [Segura] is not in the All-Star Game this year, people aren't watching," added Roenicke with a chuckle.

Gomez left Sunday's game against the Braves with what the Brewers called a left shoulder sprain after colliding awkwardly with the center-field wall in the fourth inning.

Roenicke said after the game that X-rays showed nothing significant and it "could be a couple days, it could be a week" until his center fielder returns. Gomez is day to day and the team does not feel an MRI is necessary.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.

Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. CT on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.

From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Segura is among the NL leaders in several offensive categories. Entering Sunday, Segura ranked first in hits (97), tied for first in triples (eight), tied for second in stolen bases (22) and third in batting average (.334) while also hitting 11 home runs.

Gomez is tied with Segura with eight triples, he ranks third in extra-base hits (38) and seventh in stolen bases (14) while hitting .314 with 12 home runs.